DeepSummary
This podcast episode features a conversation with Michael Levin, a biologist at Tufts University, who works on understanding and controlling complex pattern formation in biological systems. The discussion covers topics such as embryogenesis, the process of building the human body from a single cell, and Levin's work on creating novel organisms called xenobots, which are self-assembling biological robots made from frog cells.
Levin explains how bioelectricity plays a crucial role in the development and regeneration of organisms, and how it can be used to control and reprogram cells. He discusses his research on planaria, a flatworm that can regenerate its entire body from a small fragment, and how he has been able to manipulate its electrical patterns to alter its body plan.
The conversation also delves into broader philosophical questions about cognition, consciousness, and the nature of intelligence. Levin proposes frameworks for understanding unconventional forms of cognition, and discusses the possibility of creating synthetic organisms with novel cognitive capabilities.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Michael Levin is a biologist at Tufts University working on understanding and controlling complex pattern formation in biological systems.
- He has created novel organisms called xenobots, which are self-assembling biological robots made from frog cells.
- Bioelectricity plays a crucial role in development and regeneration, and Levin has been able to manipulate electrical patterns to alter the body plans of organisms like planaria.
- Levin proposes frameworks for understanding unconventional forms of cognition and explores philosophical questions about the nature of intelligence and consciousness.
- He emphasizes the importance of empirical observations and subjective experience over abstract theorizing.
- Levin's work challenges traditional boundaries between biology and engineering, and between natural and synthetic organisms.
- He envisions the possibility of creating synthetic organisms with novel cognitive capabilities and developing an "anatomical compiler" for regenerative medicine.
- Levin's research offers unique perspectives on familiar processes and encourages rethinking fundamental concepts in biology.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We have to separate the sort of deep philosophical aspects of versus what actually happens. So what actually happens on earth is that people with exactly the same anatomical structure kill each other, you know, on a daily basis.“ by Michael Levin
- “So this interesting decision making calculus. For that little piece, I can go get the oat, and therefore, I won't have to share those nutrients with this giant mass over there. So the nutrients per unit volume is going to be amazing. So I should go eat the oat, but if I first rejoin, because Pfizer, once you cut it, has the ability to join back up. If I first rejoin, then that whole calculus becomes impossible, because there is no more me anymore. There's just we.“ by Michael Levin
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Episode Information
Lex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman
10/1/22
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EPISODE LINKS:
Michael's Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin
Michael's Website: https://drmichaellevin.org
Michael's Papers:
Biological Robots: https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.00880
Synthetic Organisms: https://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19420889.2021.2005863
Limb Regeneration: https://science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abj2164
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OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) - Introduction
(06:40) - Embryogenesis
(14:08) - Xenobots: biological robots
(27:55) - Sense of self
(37:27) - Multi-scale competency architecture
(48:58) - Free will
(58:27) - Bioelectricity
(1:11:44) - Planaria
(1:23:33) - Building xenobots
(1:47:08) - Unconventional cognition
(2:11:39) - Origin of evolution
(2:18:42) - Synthetic organisms
(2:25:27) - Regenerative medicine
(2:29:14) - Cancer suppression
(2:33:15) - Viruses
(2:38:28) - Cognitive light cones
(2:43:03) - Advice for young people
(2:47:47) - Death
(2:57:17) - Meaning of life